Intense heat claims over 1,300 lives during Hajj, 83% of them unregistered: report

Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia said Sunday that most of the 1,300 plus faithful died during the hajj pilgrimage from intense heat did not have official permits, news agency AFP reported.

The official Saudi Press Agency, however, put the number of deaths at 1,301, adding that with ‘83 percent being unauthorised to perform hajj and having walked long distances under direct sunlight, without adequate shelter or comfort.’

Meanwhile, the news agency AFP last week put the toll at more than 1,100 assessing the official statements and reports from foreign diplomats.

Those who died in the heat came from more than 10 countries including the United States and Indonesia.

AFP quoting Arab diplomats said that among 658 Egyptians died, 630 of them were unregistered pilgrims. Most of the deaths were linked to heat-related reasons.

Saudi Arabia's national meteorological centre reported temperatures in Mecca as high as 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 degrees Fahrenheit).

A senior Saudi official on Friday reported 577 deaths for the two busiest days of hajj: June 15 and June 16 with pilgrims gathering in blazing heat on Mount Arafat, and also participating in the "stoning of the devil" ritual in Mina respectively in these two days.

The news agency also quoted the official as saying: ‘The state did not fail, but there was a misjudgement on the part of people who did not appreciate the risks.’

Meanwhile, Saudi health minister, Fahd Al-Jalajel, claimed the management of Hajj was ‘successful’ this year, the agency reported citing SPA.

The health system of the country, the news agency quoted the minister as saying: ‘provided more than 465,000 specialised treatment services, including 141,000 services to those who didn't obtain official authorisation to perform hajj’.